Where to Buy Chicago-Themed Decor

One of the great things about living in Chicago is how proud its residents are to live here. Chicagoland pride is everywhere, especially in our own homes.

Here's a list of all the Chicago-centric things you might want (or need) and where you can get them.

Train System Maps

The elevated train (el or L, pick your poison) is near and dear to the hearts of Chicagoans. We rely on it to get to work, to get home, to get to the bars and to provide us with hilarious, random stories and sightings.

The Chicago Transit Authority's map of the train system and its colorful lines are well-recognized, so you can find it in many, many shops around town in many, many forms. If you're looking for the basics (mugs, coasters, keychains), Michigan Avenue and The Loop are chock-full of gift shops. If you lean toward the unique, check online. We like these L map socks and this shower curtain.

Neighborhood Maps

Our beloved city comprises 72 neighborhoods. Luckily, Chicago is full of artists who love the city's neighborhoods and use their skills to express that love. The rest of us who are less artistically inclined are fortunate enough to see that love and hang it on our walls.

Sports-Related Items

Chicago is home to six major sports teams: the Bulls, the Cubs, the White Sox, the Bears, the Blackhawks and the Fire. Not everyone will agree with me on this one, but there's nothing better than attending a game and grabbing a jersey, a T-shirt, a hat, a foam finger, or whatever it is your heart desires. Sure, you can find this stuff online and at shops nearby the game venues, but for me, it feels a little more legit when it's actually from the stadium. (Or forget what I just said and get a fun T-shirt from Strange Cargo in Wrigleyville instead.)

Chicago Flag Gear

Chicago is one of the few cities in the U.S. that has its own flag, and that flag is the inspiration for a lot of stuff. Each star, white bar and blue bar represents something important in the city's history. Like the L train map, this flag is everywhere and in every form you can think of. You'll especially notice a lot of patches on backpacks and tattoos on arms or legs. We love these mugs from Chicago-based artist Circa Ceramics.